Job/Volunteer Opportunities
The Minnesota Zoo employs about 220 full-time, part-time, and intermittent staff. That number grows to between 270 and 300 with the addition of temporary staff during the spring and summer months.
The Minnesota Zoo employs people from a wide variety of backgrounds. In addition to typical "zoo jobs" such as veterinary technicians, interpretive naturalists, zookeepers, zoologists, and veterinarians, the business end of the Zoo requires people with many different skills, from accountants and marketing staff, to carpenters and guest services staff.
The Minnesota Zoo is a state agency and its employees are public employees, with salary and benefits set by union contracts and compensation plans. The State of Minnesota also participates in E-Verify, find out more:
Over the course of a year, the Zoo receives over two thousand applications for employment. All of our positions are highly competitive with a majority of positions requiring related experience and education.
Although we have positions open from time to time during the year, our largest recruitment period begins in March and lasts through mid-May, when we begin filling our summer positions.
Our open positions are listed below and can change on a daily basis. Applying for our positions is easy. If you are interested in a position and feel you meet the qualifications listed, simply click on the link within the posting. That link will take you to the State of Minnesota’s resume database where applicants can submit resumes for positions open for all state agencies, including the Minnesota Zoo.
Zoo Employment Opportunities
Interpretive Naturalist 1
The Minnesota Zoo has an opening for temporary part-time (75%) Interpretive Naturalist 1 positions in the Education Department. This position will include benefits.
This position is responsible for designing and developing a distance learning program for school outreach. Its duties will be to research distance learning strategies, equipment procurement and training, curriculum development, pr/marketing, and pilot program development.
Minimum Qualifications:
To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must possess the following education and experience.
A Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies, Ecology, Animal Science, Science Education, or similar; PLUS,
- Demonstrated working knowledge of distance learning technologies, computer competencies, and/or audio/video production techniques for K-12 audiences
- Educational program or curriculum development experience
- Experience instructing or delivering educational programs to K-12 audiences
- Ability to work independently, under pressure, and meet firm deadlines
- Educational program management or coordination experience
- Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Technical knowledge of the development, design, and delivery of interactive videoconference programs
- Ability to operate videoconferencing, audiovisual equipment, and audio/video/data transmission
- Knowledge of current trends in educational technology, multimedia, and K-12 education
- Demonstrated understanding of the needs of formal K-12 teachers and the management of a student classroom
- Experience, comfort, and success presenting in front of large groups of children and/or adults, or experience being 'on camera'
- Ability to create audio/video content and media using modern equipment and software
This position starts at $16.41 an hour.
Interested applicants should apply on-line at
http://www.careers.state.mn.us
After setting up an account and submitting a resume, you can apply for this position by searching on and applying for job number 10MZG000069. Follow the instructions to apply for this position. Application deadline is Thursday, August 26, 2010.
Summer Employment Opportunities
None at this time
Minnesota Zoo Foundation Employment Opportunities
Database & Stewardship Associate
General Description:
The Database & Stewardship Associatereports to the Senior Director of Major & Planned Gifts and performs key development functions by maintaining and managing the database, accurately entering and tracking all gift data, producing gift acknowledgments for the various fundraising arms of the Minnesota Zoo Foundation, and developing and generating donor and financial reports. This position organizes and implements administrative systems to support effective and efficient development efforts.
Appointment & Salary:
This is a full-time position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Job Responsibilities
Database:
- Maintain and manage donor database in compliance with Zoo data management procedures and protocol.
- Strategically manage new data, including entering new prospect lists as needed.
- Demonstrate knowledge of best practices in data management, and contribute recommendations and ideas to refine current practices.
- Download online gifts for import into database.
- Collaborate with Foundation Finance office to reconcile gift reports, monitor gift income, and generate pledge reminders.
Systems Management:
- Accurately record and process gifts, and generate timely gift acknowledgements.
- Produce and circulate daily and weekly reports to Foundation and Zoo staff regarding new and renewed donors at the Friends level ($250+).
- Ensure acknowledgements and customized letters are prepared and mailed according to level of gift, type of gift (cash, stock, pledge, in-kind, etc.), restrictions or designations, and proper signatory.
- Periodically create and produce new acknowledgement letters (both traditional and electronic). Review formats for ‘green team’ conservation compliance.
Stewardship and Development Support:
- Support and advance the donor relations agenda of the development program.
- Produce annual donor roster for publication in the Annual Report.
- Produce stewardship reports as needed.
- Actively communicate with fundraising staff about gifts and donors of interest.
- Data analysis/mining to support rapidly expanding development operation.
- Develop queries and reports.
- Assist at donor events.
Essential Credentials and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Minimum two years of professional experience in the field of development working with Raiser’s Edge or equivalent database. (Raiser’s Edge training will be provided.)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively to multiple audiences.
- Keen attention to detail; organizational problem solving and decision-making abilities and experience.
- Ability to work cooperatively with Foundation colleagues, Zoo staff, volunteers and the public. Demonstrated record of being a team player.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize multiple tasks. Evidence of personal initiative. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously by employing effective management strategies.
- Proficient in computer skills.
- Passion for the Minnesota Zoo mission.
Application Deadline:
Review of applications begins immediately; position open until filled.
To Apply:
Submit 1) letter outlining interest in and qualifications for the position; 2) current resume;
3) names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to: Kim Bowman, Senior Director of Major & Planned Gifts, Minnesota Zoo Foundation, 13000 Zoo Boulevard,
Apple Valley, MN 55124; telephone (952) 431-9474; e-mail: kim.bowman@mnzoo.org.
